This is the third book I have read by Lynda Rutledge. I find her writing style and subject matter to my liking. It is very difficult to find really good fiction books to read that are not about dysfunctional characters, violence, or bodice burners.
Mockingbird Summer is very authentic about the culture and characters actions from the young adults in the 1950s and 1960s.
I feel the reading audience would be women 65 years in age and up, as well as, for the daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters of older women & men. This book will give the reader a better understanding of the mores and culture in this time period. Why their parents or grandparents act and talk regarding moral, ethics, and concerns of present use of drugs. The present options open to all due to the changed culture of acceptance of racial, gender and sexual orientation on the east and west coast states and college communities. I don’t live in the South or Midwest any longer, I do not know of the culture of the people in those areas today.
Chapter 9 about the Dairy Dip in small towns, was right on. I grew up in a small town in Ohio of 10,000 versus 2500 in Texas. The culture was definitely based on school, church, fraternal organizations, family, school sports for all the residence of the community. With the teachers and coaches known and participating with all the residents. The participation by police and most everyone knew the officers.
Most drug stores had soda fountains and some served light meals. I worked in a drug store in high school after school and Saturdays. Though no soda fountain, but the prescriptions were filled as described and we has a young African American man who delivered drugs/supplies/filled prescriptions to the hospital, doctors’ offices and patients.
The racial prejudices were more defined in the Texas town, than in western Ohio. Our schools were integrated with a few American America students who were well regarded and integrated in all sports and activities.
Chapter 19 was my favorite chapter about the baseball game where the author follows inning by inning the action of the players. What a fun read!
The relationship between Kate and America was delightful.